The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, spearheaded a demonstration decrying the recent surge in electricity tariffs outside the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission headquarters in Abuja on Monday. Eyewitness accounts from our correspondent on the ground detail how protesters managed to gain entry into the NERC complex during the protest.
Employees united under the banners of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress flooded the premises of various electricity distribution companies on Monday to voice their opposition to the tariff increase in Band A. This collective action by organized labor was triggered by the nationwide discontent over the escalation in electricity tariffs and the government’ s decision to eliminate subsidies in the power sector.
The protest was anticipated to result in the closure of the NERC headquarters in Abuja, as well as the Ministry of Power and regional offices of power distribution companies. The NERC had officially announced the tariff hike for Band A consumers during a press conference in Abuja on April 3, disclosing that affected customers would now be charged N225 per kilowatt- hour, a significant increase from the previous rate of N68/kWh.
The demonstration led by Joe Ajaero and supported by workers from various sectors underscores the growing frustration and dissatisfaction among the populace regarding the surge in electricity costs. The protest serves as a visible manifestation of the collective voice demanding accountability and fair treatment in the realm of energy pricing and government policies affecting the power sector.
As the labor unions continue to advocate for the rights and welfare of workers and consumers, the protest at the NERC headquarters symbolizes a broader movement towards ensuring transparency, affordability, and accessibility in the electricity sector
The resounding call for a review of the tariff hike and a reconsideration of subsidy removal reflects the concerns of many Nigerians grappling with the economic implications of such policy decisions.
